Articles

In this Aug.14, 2015 photo, Lake Casitas was at 46.7 percent capacity. Today it has dropped to 39 percent.

Kit Stolz,Ojai Valley News correspondent

Although comparisons between a near-record drought of the 1940s and early 1950s are being made to Southern California's current drought, now into its fifth year, those comparisons aren't entirely on target according to local water officials. And while most local water officials aren't yet ready to push the panic button, more consideration is being given to options should the drought continue.

Bert Rapp, general manager of the Ventura River Water District (which serves Oak View, Mira Monte, Casitas Springs, and customers on the western edge of Ojai) said according to city of Ventura rainfall records, the current drought has yet to equal the one the region suffered through approximately 70 years ago.